Durham Regional Police Say Project Atlantis II, a Downtown Oshawa Enforcement and Community Engagement Project Run by the Central East Division Community Resource Unit Between April and September 2026, Produced 490 Arrests and 808 Charges (October 16, 2026)

The Durham Regional Police Service said on October 16 that Project Atlantis II, a proactive enforcement and community engagement project in downtown Oshawa, has concluded with 490 arrests and 808 charges. The force says officers from its Central East Division Community Resource Unit ran the project with community partners “Between April and September 2026,” and that it was aimed at “disrupting thefts and the possession of property obtained by crime as well as the sale and distribution of illicit drugs” that “contribute to addiction, violence, victimization, and community disorder.” The release refers to “significant drug seizures” but gives no quantity for any drug, and it names no one who was arrested or charged.

The Figures the Force Published

The release sets out the project’s results as five lines. Officers “Made 490 arrests,” “Laid 808 charges,” “Issued 406 Provincial Offence Notices,” “Responded to 436 calls for service” and “Conducted 307 business and community engagement visits.” The release does not break any of those figures down by offence, and it does not say how many of the 490 arrests led to charges.

Durham Regional Police describe the headline figure in the release’s own title as “490 Arrests and Over 800 Charges.” The force has published this file as an update, titled “UPDATE #1.”

The Patrol Hours and the Area Covered

Alongside the arrest and charge figures, the force published the patrol time the project consumed: 2,120 hours of bicycle patrol, 180 hours of foot patrol and 96 hours of UTV patrol. The release says that patrol effort was concentrated on the downtown core, the waterfronts, trails and parks.

What the Chief and the Mayor Said

Chief Peter Moreira is quoted saying “Project Atlantis II demonstrates what proactive, community-focused policing looks like.” He adds that “By increasing our visibility, targeting the criminal activity that contributes to disorder and victimization, and working closely with our partners, we are responding directly to the concerns we hear from residents and businesses.” Of the numbers themselves, the chief says: “The results are significant, but this work is about more than arrests and charges. It is about building relationships, strengthening trust and helping people feel safe in their community.”

The release also quotes Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter, who thanks “Durham Regional Police Service, City of Oshawa municipal by-law enforcement, corporate security and staff for their continued efforts to support a safe and welcoming downtown.” The mayor goes on to say that “Project Atlantis II highlights the important work taking place on the front lines, but enforcement alone cannot address the complex challenges we are seeing in our community,” and that “Mental health, addictions, and homelessness continue to place vulnerable individuals at greater risk and have real impacts on community safety.” He says he has “been meeting and working collaboratively with all levels of government to advance stronger investments in treatment, housing, and support services, as well as greater accountability and stronger legislative tools,” and that “Lasting progress requires both an effective response on our streets and meaningful action to address the root causes of these complex challenges.”

Everyone arrested or charged in this project is presumed innocent, and none of the 808 charges has been tested in court. The allegations are those of the Durham Regional Police Service, as published in its October 16, 2026 release. No gang or criminal organization has been named in connection with this project.